Austin’s expertise in child and adolescent psychology positions him as one of the leading counselors in Uganda for this demographic. Austin received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration & Management from Gulu University. He had anticipated a career in business, but at the same time, he had a strong desire to serve the children and youth of his region. He would attend school during the day, but at night, he started volunteering at a night commuters shelter called Noah’s Ark. This was a center where children and youths would come to take refuge for fear of abduction by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). It was during this volunteer experience that Austin learned about trauma and mental distress. And it was during this experience that his desire to serve others outweighed any other vocational trajectory.
With some intensive training in trauma counseling, Austin eventually became affiliated with the Uganda Counseling Association (UCA). He went on to work as a counselor at Noah’s Ark, and later with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). When Austin joined THRIVEGulu as a Junior Counselor in 2014, he brought an abundance of skills and experience that helped him quickly transition to be Project Coordinator for Save the Children International’s “I Am Learning” Project. Austin says of himself, “I am a child protection activist!” In 2017 he had training by the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development to be a Trainer of Trainers to others on best practices in psychosocial support and mental health recovery.
Like his colleagues, Austin takes pride in working at THRIVEGulu: “I value so much the work that we do here at THRIVE. Together, we are gradually healing the wounds in our people’s hearts. THRIVE offers a holistic approach that is very unique to Uganda.” Commenting on his specific accomplishments: “We have been able to save lives of so many suicidal clients through our work – they are once again very productive members in their communities. THRIVEGulu has trained 72 primary school teachers from 16 schools in Basic Guidance Counseling; trained 60 community lay counselors, so that children and parents can receive continuity of support when at home in their villages; initiated a Group Therapy Model in 2 schools to target children affected by depression; and reached over 3,000 pupils and 1,700 parents with psychoeducation on signs and symptoms of mental health distress.”
Austin’s feelings about THRIVE are as much a testimony to his passion for helping others as it is a call to action for us all. He shares, “I love my work and always do it diligently. It’s because of the support of my colleagues, our Program Director, our US Board of Directors and all of our generous donors that it possible for me to touch the wounded hearts. Let’s all join hands to see our Vision come to pass as we continue to THRIVE!”
